{"id":622,"date":"2021-04-26T09:55:04","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T06:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ar.veo.fi\/2020\/?page_id=622"},"modified":"2023-05-02T15:11:48","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T12:11:48","slug":"sustainability-plan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ar.veo.fi\/2022\/sustainability-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"SUSTAINABILITY PLAN"},"content":{"rendered":"

SUSTAINABILITY RUNNING THROUGH VEO’S VEINS<\/span><\/h1>\n

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VEO <\/span>has <\/span>always prioritised renewable energy projects<\/span>.<\/span> This means that<\/span> s<\/span>ustainability has been ingrained in <\/span>the company\u2019<\/span>s DNA<\/span> for more than 30<\/span> years<\/span>. <\/span>Over <\/span>time<\/span>, VEO’s commitment to sustainability has only grown, <\/span>and is today<\/span> the <\/span>very <\/span>foundation of the company’s operation<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>VEO<\/span>\u2019s<\/span> strategic goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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In 2022, VEO set up a Sustainability Group, with the mission to define both long and short-term targets, as well as to identify and specify the actions needed to reach them. The result was a comprehensive Sustainability Plan.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWe want to be at the forefront in the energy transition. With the Sustainability Plan, we want to show all our stakeholders how committed we are and also make it easier for them to join the mission\u201d, states<\/span> Kim R\u00e5holm<\/span><\/b>, Development and HSQE Director at VEO.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A roadmap <\/span>prioritising both people and the planet<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

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In addition to the increased focus on energy transition projects and carbon-neutral operations, wellbeing at work and improved ways of working are important parts of VEO\u2019s sustainability roadmap.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe want our people to enjoy their work in an environment where they feel respected. And by offering such conditions, we believe we simultaneously grow everyone\u2019s dedication to our sustainability goals\u201d, explains VEO\u2019s HR Director <\/span>Piia Tuliniemi.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The sustainability plan is aligned with VEO\u2019s values, and meets the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. VEO\u2019s own focus areas with targets and actions are all linked to the identified ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) objectives.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Environmental objectives<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n

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VEO strives to increase its positive impact on the environment by focusing even more on energy transition projects, that is, renewable energy projects or projects that increase energy efficiency or reduce energy usage. To reach carbon-neutrality in its own operations by 2030, VEO has introduced numerous measures, both large and small.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cW<\/span>e have managed to increase our recycling rate\u202f<\/span>b<\/span>y sorting plastic and using only recyclable packing materials.\u202fWith improved design and material selection\u202fin the planning of our\u202foperations and\u202fprojects,\u202fwe have reduced the amount of waste considerably. As a result we have, together with our business partners,\u202f<\/span>managed to\u202f<\/span>lessen<\/span>\u202fthe negative environmental impacts of our joint operations<\/span>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Another significant measure was the 2021 switch to carbon-neutral electricity and heating at the HQ and factory in Vaasa.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAs the Vaasa premises account for over 90% of VEO Group\u2019s electricity and heating needs, this has had quite an impact. We are also planning to install solar panels, which in the long-run can even make the factory carbon negative\u201d,\u00a0 says R\u00e5holm<\/span><\/p>\n

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And the work continues. To further decrease its negative impact on the environment, VEO is changing the light fixtures to LED lamps, implementing heat optimisation in its facilities and planning to replace diesel cars with hybrid ones, to mention just a few of the ongoing actions. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Social objectives<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

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VEO wants to be a great place to work and places strong emphasis on improving its working methods and employee wellbeing.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAs with most things in life, communication is the key. In a large organisation such as ours, we must ensure that everyone is kept up to date with group-level issues, and that people from all levels and teams get their voice heard,\u201d Tuliniemi explains.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tuliniemi organises a bi-weekly meeting for managers, which has proven to be an appreciated forum for sharing information. In these meetings, managers can discuss important topics, such as identifying in which areas skills must be developed to meet future needs. Safety, for example, has always been a top priority at VEO. It is an area where VEO continuously maintains and develops its employees\u2019 skills.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAnd just as we keep our employees and partners safe, we want to support the mental health of our people. Nowadays, multitasking and stress are common issues in many workplaces. At VEO, we’re dedicated to finding ways to alleviate the work-related burdens that contribute to psychosocial stress\u201d, Tuliniemi explains.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Governance objectives<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

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VEO follows all applicable national and international laws and regulations in all of its business locations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe firmly believe in following good business ethics in all our operations. With almost 500 employees, offices in four countries, and projects running in almost every corner of the world with local partners, it is of the utmost importance that each and every one of us follows our Code of Conduct\u201d, R\u00e5holm concludes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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HOW DOES IT WORK?<\/span><\/span> <\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

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